Living with Oromandibular dystonia
A movement condition in which muscle spasms cause jaw and tongue movements and face grimacing.
Understanding Oromandibular dystonia
It causes ongoing or repeated involuntary jaw and tongue movements and facial grimacing, from spasms in the chewing, face, throat, tongue, and lip muscles. GARD lists onset as a variety of ages.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Difficulty chewing
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Voice changes (dysphonia)
- Pain
- Weight loss
- Depression
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It doesn't list a specific gene or how it is inherited.
Also known as: cranial dystonia
Patient organizations
- Dystonia Medical Research FoundationDystonia · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Oromandibular dystonia.
Explore research for Oromandibular dystonia
Explore actively recruiting Oromandibular dystonia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Oromandibular dystonia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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